8-Day Morocco Cities and Desert Tour from Tangier to Marrakech

• The guide will pick you up from Tangier port to visit Tangier, depending on your arrival time, and then transfer you to Chefchaouen.
• We will visit Hercules Caves, shaped like the African continent - a cavern where Hercules allegedly rested during his labour - with an opening in the shape of the African continent, as well as the 1000 ft site above sea level at the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar. The visit also includes the Kasbah Museum, which used to be the former sultan's palace of Dar El Makhzen, with collections from prehistoric times to the 19th century, along with its charming Andalusian garden.
• The final stop is Chefchaouen, known for the blue-washed buildings of its old town. It is well known for the shady main square of Place Outa el Hammam, the red-walled Kasbah, a 15th-century fortress and dungeon, the Ethnographic Museum, and the nearby octagonal minaret.

Overnight stay in Chefchaouen.

• We will travel toward Fes and visit historically rich landmarks along the way. The visit includes the excavated ancient city of Volubilis, the ancient capital of the Mauretania kingdom. The journey continues to Meknes, known for its imperial past, where you will see its remnants and the beautiful Bab Mansour gate, famous for its arches and mosaic tiling.

Overnight stay in Fes.

• The tour allows you to explore historical sites such as Madrasa El Bouinania, founded in AD 1351-56 by Abu Inan Faris. It is widely acknowledged as a high point of Marinid architecture and historic Moroccan architecture in general. You will also visit El Quaraoiyin Mosque and University, the oldest existing, continually operating higher educational institution in the world according to UNESCO and Guinness World Records, and occasionally referred to by scholars as the oldest university. The tour also includes the South Tower, the pottery village, and the residence of the king.

Free time and overnight stay in Fes.

• Depart early for the Merzouga desert through Ifrane, known for its alpine-style architecture, nearby ski slopes and forests, and the lion statue. The cedar forests are notable as a habitat for a sub-population of Barbary macaques. Continue through Midelt, the commercial center of a vast agricultural hinterland, then Errachidia, the tremendous Ziz Valley with its rocky passage, and Erfoud.

Spend a night in a hotel.

• After breakfast in your hotel or camp, you can explore the local area. You will visit the Gnawa people - originally from Mali, Senegal, and Sudan - in their village of Khamlia, where you will learn about their music and lifestyle.
• Afterwards, we will drive through the desert area to meet nomadic families and explore their way of life. Today's lunch will be a traditional Berber meal, Berber pizza.
• You will also have the option to visit the ancient city of Rissani - the foundation of the Alawite dynasty, Morocco's current ruling royal family. Rissani is surrounded by about 360 ksars, a fortified town with many towers, and has a large souk that takes place three times a week. Once called Sijilmassa, it was the meeting place of salt caravans coming from Timbuktu in Mali. You can walk through the souk, where spices, vegetables, and clothes are sold.
• Travel back to the village of Merzouga. In the afternoon, you will ride your camel, guided by an experienced man, to explore what is hidden among the highest dunes of Morocco.

Dinner will be served in front of the tent where you will spend the night.

• Wake up early to see the magical colours before breakfast. Then travel to Dades Valley through Errissani, the ancient capital of Tafilalet. Historically, Sijilmasa is a region and the largest oasis in Morocco.
• Next, head to the charming city of Tinghir, known for its magnificent palm grove, and visit its famous series of limestone river canyons in the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountains. Continue to Boumalne Dades, where every scene could easily inspire an artistic masterpiece, and which is famous for Todgha Gorge.

• After breakfast, the trip continues through the Valley of the Roses to Marrakech, taking the road known as the Road of One Thousand Kasbahs, especially beautiful in the spring.
• Visit Amridil Kasbah, a unique historical treasure initially built in the 17th century and featured on the 50 Dh note. This living museum showcases traditional kasbah life over the centuries. Finally, reach your accommodation for the overnight stay.
• When reaching Ouarzazate, we will visit Atlas Studio, where imagination runs free as you discover the hidden stories of the movie-making world.
• We also go to the 17th-century Kasbah Aït Ben Haddou, a great example of Moroccan earthen clay architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Aït Ben Haddou is a historical site along the former caravan route between the desert and Marrakech. The drive continues via Tishka Pass, reaching an altitude of 2260 m.

An overnight stay in Marrakech.

• After breakfast at the riad, you can start exploring Marrakech, "the red city of Morocco". We will ensure that you see the most important sites of historical and cultural interest, including the Majorelle Gardens, the Koutoubia Tower, the Saadian Tombs, and the Bahia Palace.
• After lunch at a restaurant near the square, you will walk through the souks and see hundreds of crafts.

Tour ends.

Note: If the itinerary does not suit your needs, do not hesitate to let us know. We are flexible in modifying it.